Record number of moose hunters successful for second straight year

By Staff | Jan 23, 2014

Augusta — The numbers are in from this fall’s moose hunt, and 2,971 moose hunters were successful last season in their quest for a moose.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife issued 4,110 permits this past season, with 72 percent of the hunters successful. The 2,971 successful hunters marked a new record, eclipsing the 2,937 of last year.

"I extend congratulations to all who took part in this year's moose hunt," said Maine Governor Paul LePage. "Not only was it a successful hunt, it was also a safe one."

“Maine has a thriving moose population,” said Chandler Woodcock, commissioner for the MDIFW. “The moose hunt allows us to regulate the moose population in Maine, and it gives hunters the opportunity at the hunt of a lifetime."

Maine is in the fourth year of conducting aerial surveys to estimate moose abundance and population composition (composition of male/females; adults/calves). The aerial surveys provide data used to estimate the moose population and health of the herd.

“Maine has a healthy and strong moose population and has the highest density of moose in the lower 48 states,” said Lee Kantar, Maine’s moose biologist.

Biologists are set to establish moose permit numbers for the fall 2014 moose season. The number of moose permits available are based on population numbers and the composition of the moose population in wildlife management districts, as well as the population goals and objectives for that district.